Being asked by your friend who has been diagnosed with stage four cancer to write something on life lessons for her blog is a breeding ground for self doubt. How would anything that I have purportedly learned possibly hold up when placed alongside the magnitude of what someone who has been handed this diagnosis is learning and dealing with on a daily basis? And I…

As a new year begins, we wanted to create a new series for our newsletters, featuring stories from empowering women who have touched our lives, and the lives of others.  To start off the series, we’re highlighting Brea Griffiths’ truly empowering story of resiliency, hope, perseverance and healing that changed her life and led her to help others (including Karla) to find freedom from their pain. Watch a…

My good friend Noor, whom I went to high-school with, has written another fantastic article for our blog series. Noor has an amazing ability to mix her own personal experience with that of a scientific analysis of why these things can happen to her, and to others in an effort to help parents better understand their own kids. Noor always looks to find the why?…

This title was handily provided by an article in the magazine, Scientific American. Science journalist Jo Marchant brought her considerable research and writing abilities to look into the idea that our mind is, in fact, capable of effecting great changes in our physical body. She noted that, unfortunately, most efforts of practitioners seem designed only to have us hand over our money. But serious science…

Did you know that about 1.2 million Canadian youth are affected by mental illness but less than 20 per cent will receive appropriate treatment. According to Youth Mental Health Canada. It’s not easy to know how to help those struggling with depression or anxiety, and sometimes what we think will help ends up making the situation worse. Simply listening to the perspectives and needs of youth who are dealing…

By Noor Islam, an Honours Kinesiology Student, minoring in Medical Physiology at the University of Waterloo To all parents,  No parent ever wants to see their child suffer, but sometimes your attempt at “helping” can make your child feel much worse, which I know first-hand. With depression, there are phases where things are “normal” and then days when you can’t even get out of bed:…

The past year and a half have taught us all of the different ways that we can try to protect ourselves and those around us from illness. We have learned to keep our hands clean, keep our distance and wear masks. But we have also learned that stress and difficult times are often unavoidable. And as we start to rebuild our lives and routines, there…

If the Circle of Strength event was one thing, it was unabashedly and completely Karla. Down to the décor and every activity, and of course the content, it was a perfect statement of who Karla is as a person and the amazing impact she has had on the many people throughout her life. And you can see through the people that she surrounds herself with…

As we have learned throughout our self care series, practicing self care is different for everyone and is based on listening to yourself and addressing your own health and needs alongside supporting others in your life. And there can be some routine that goes into taking care of yourself – you might make sure that you exercise daily, like to enjoy a good book every…

In our previous articles on self care, we have looked at what exactly it is and why it is necessary. But one of the greatest barriers to adding self care into your daily life might be a twinge of guilt that indulging for your own gain is somehow selfish and should be seen as shameful. And while we all do need to acknowledge that there…

The majority of us were forced to rework our schedules and priorities during the pandemic. Now, as we start to plan for a return to (some of) our old ways, we each have the chance to rejig and figure out what fits and what does not. The benefits of exercise to our physical and mental health is indisputable. But that doesn’t mean it is easy…

You could never really call me a happy person. Like anyone, I have my happy moments. But I’ve often just gone through life with a neutral expression – not really overly happy or sad. The past year or so, that’s all changed; I’ve been much happier. And I owe it all to the lessons taught to me from my almost 2-year-old. 1. Appreciate the little…

One take away that I think many of us got from the Circle of Strength event that Karla hosted in the fall of 2019 is that things can happen that change large pieces of your life in an instant. It can stop you in your tracks and change your priorities or even the things you’re able to tackle on a daily basis. I think when…

For me, humor has always been a beacon calling me back to the light. Even in the darkest moments, I have always found a way to find that little bit of irony or even that slightly inappropriate joke to keep me from sinking too far down. A good laugh (even through tears) has been my lift raft more times than I can remember and in…

One of the causes close to both of our founders, Karla and Zach’s hearts is mental health awareness and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. They believe that everyone should have access to mental health support and are determined to do all that they can to reduce the number of teens and young people who feel helpless and without the support that…

As caregivers, parents, workers, women or just as members of units of people and communities, we are taught that we cannot be selfish. We are taught that in order to be a good person, you need to put others above yourself and contribute. We are taught that our own value is the product of how others see us, instead of being determined by ourselves alone.…

We hear so often that if we want to be truly content and healthy, we need to practice self care. But how important is taking time away from everything else on our to-do lists to devote to our own wellbeing? Well first, as we outlined in our What Is Self Care? article, practicing self care is about more than just booking a spa treatment or…

For years, we have heard about self-care and how important it can be to mental and physical health, to maintaining positive relationships, to helping us reach our goals and ambitions, and just living a content and grateful life. And there is an entire billion-dollar industry around turning it into just being about taking a bubble bath, attending a yoga class or booking a weekend at…

Anyone who has met Karla is aware of her bravery and fearlessness. But what I learned from her on the day of her Circle of Strength Event was her willingness to put her wildest ideas out there to see if they really could be made into reality. When she has a vision, she will do what it takes to make sure it is realized. And…

If you have ever browsed through our Circle of Strength Workshop Series, you might have wondered why I included a workshop on understanding your poop and digestive system. What does this have to do with self care, discovery and improvement? Why would I want to have a whole lecture about a topic that most would find disgusting or taboo? Well, it all started when I…

As well as our first pride month blog, we have created a glossary of terms for your reference.   Once you have read the glossary, scroll to the bottom of the page to test your knowledge with our pride quiz! Downloadable Glossary *All definitions were created using the following resources as reference:  The GLAAD Media Reference Guide  The LGBTQIA Resource Centre at UC Davis Gender:…

*The author of this piece wishes to remain anonymous. I felt different than many of my friends growing up. I was never obsessed with finding my Prince Charming, having my first kiss with a boy, or looking at male fashion models in magazines. I did many “Am I Gay?” quizzes on the internet, and pondered this. At the age of 14, I came to the…

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” -Jason Collins (Former professional NBA player) Happy Pride Month! This month, June, is dedicated to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I would like to take some time to provide some information, insights, and stories throughout this week. Collins concludes, the best place to start in countering prejudice, is to be open. When you are…

I am a child of the 60’s, grew up in Los Angeles in a lower income area. My mother left my father when I was 5.  She was an alcoholic and self centered person, who never should have had children.  I was left unsupervised a huge part of the time and at one point I used to light matches to smell the sulfur.  The apartment…

Lisa Klein is co-director, writer, and producer of OF TWO MINDS, a film about the person behind mental illness. Klein was inspired to create this film is based on the experience of her own sister, who struggled with bipolar disorder. A writer and filmmaker, Klein has co-directed the festival documentary short WHAT A BALL and the Fox Movie Channel documentary CULT CULTURE: THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE.…

The following blog post was written by Drew Penner, a reporter who took a close look at the disappearance of Delaine Copenace. The young aboriginal woman is one of thousands of missing and murdered indigenous women who have never found justice. Drew took his research and turned it into a moving podcast. Read about his experience:  I’ve done a fair bit of hitchhiking in my…

Every year around this time friendly reminders to get outside to enjoy the sun are in overwhelming supply online. While there is proof sunshine can help boost mood and improve health, especially for those struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression that fluctuates depending on the seasons), the sun does not have this same effect on everyone. Benefits of Increased Sunlight There is no denying the…

Friends enter our lives for many reasons. Some come and go, serving a purpose for only a little while, but a special few stay committed for the long run. They see us at our worst and are the first to celebrate our bests. This pledge to be in each others’ lives forever, as more family than friend, is the first sign of true soul sisterhood.…

One day, 32 years ago, my brother’s grade 10 high school friend went missing. This was a time of no internet or cell phones. There was one home phone and one TV per house. We had house parties on Saturday nights, while Fridays were spent with girlfriends or a best friend. We all lived similar lives in an upscale Toronto suburb. It seemed far away…

By Carol Devine, Humanitarian Practitioner, Writer and Researcher *The main image is plastic garbage Carol collected on a Cleanup Svalbard expedition* A short story on biochemistry: I’m on vacation. It’s lockdown #2. I only have two meetings (which I don’t count as “work” as rather it feels like I’m helping write a new series on the planet. We’ve no idea how it ends.) I work for two…